Derrick Rose Reportedly Cleared to Play By Doctors But He’s Not Ready

It has been a long, frustrating slog through rehab ever since Derrick Rose underwent left knee surgery almost 10 months ago. The Chicago Bulls say that their superstar point guard is day-to-day, and according to ESPN, Rose’s doctor has given him the green light to play in an NBA game again. Derrick is just not mentally prepared to do so at the moment: “Derrick Rose’s doctor has cleared the Chicago Bulls’ star to play, a team source said, but his long-awaited return to the lineup won’t occur until he can confidently dunk off his left foot, Rose has told the team. Rose, who had surgery to repair a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on May 12, has been videotaped dunking off each foot, but more casually than he would during a game. A source said that although he has been practicing and scrimmaging hard, he told the Bulls that until he feels ‘in his mind’ he can confidently dunk off his left foot in a game situation, he is not 100 percent mentally ready to return to competition. The team is not pressuring Rose, the source said, but the Bulls are confident he will return this season and are still hoping for a mid-March return, which would mark 10 months after his surgery. The Bulls play at Golden State on March 15. The source said the team has been assured by Rose’s doctor that there is no more chance of the former MVP getting injured upon his return than anyone else and that the doctor told the Bulls that physically ‘he can play now.’ Rose is now dealing with the psychological side of trusting his body.”